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Theoretically optimal location of a distribution substation

Former Community Member over 4 years ago

Hello,
I have the following problem with the preliminary design stage of a residential area:

The software I use can calculate a theoretically optimal location of a distribution substation for low-voltage networks. This place is calculated as a "center of power demand" or "center of gravity" of electrical consumers.

If the substation locates in this optimal place, we can design 0.4kV distribution feeders with a minimum length and power losses in low-voltage feeders are minimal.

I understand it’s almost impossible to put it exactly there, and I consider some sites nearby. But the architect believes that this is unacceptable in terms of landscape design and wants to place the substation in a far corner.

Who should be the arbiter in this situation? DNO representative takes a neutral position. Local authorities are completely on architect side, they do not care that long power cables will heat the atmosphere for many years to come.

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0 Former Community Member over 4 years ago

Yes, with 3x32A main protection, you can supply a load with a total power demand of 21kW with a power factor of 0.95 for a long time.

With a 3-phase input, the loads of the house can be fairly evenly distributed between phases. Powerful consumers can be ordered in both 3-phase and 1-phase versions. Usually, the main protection is not fuse, but a 3-phase circuit breaker with a C-characteristic, which can keep overloads with asymmetries.

On the continent, 3-phase input is increasingly being used if the power consumption is more than 16 kW. I can also add that for a house with an area of 120-150m2, the main protection 3x25A is most often used.

But my main topic was regarding the optimal location of the substation. I wanted to understand how important this issue is and how much attention is paid to it in different countries. UK has its own electrical standards BS, which are widely used throughout the world and I am interested in the experience of electrical designers from UK. I would like to accumulate arguments (pros and cons) in my dispute with the architect. Thank you all for participating.
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0 Former Community Member over 4 years ago

Yes, with 3x32A main protection, you can supply a load with a total power demand of 21kW with a power factor of 0.95 for a long time.

With a 3-phase input, the loads of the house can be fairly evenly distributed between phases. Powerful consumers can be ordered in both 3-phase and 1-phase versions. Usually, the main protection is not fuse, but a 3-phase circuit breaker with a C-characteristic, which can keep overloads with asymmetries.

On the continent, 3-phase input is increasingly being used if the power consumption is more than 16 kW. I can also add that for a house with an area of 120-150m2, the main protection 3x25A is most often used.

But my main topic was regarding the optimal location of the substation. I wanted to understand how important this issue is and how much attention is paid to it in different countries. UK has its own electrical standards BS, which are widely used throughout the world and I am interested in the experience of electrical designers from UK. I would like to accumulate arguments (pros and cons) in my dispute with the architect. Thank you all for participating.
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Theoretically optimal location of a distribution substation

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